Really have to get a proper camera (and on a photography course), some of these pictures are amazing, sorry humble iphone snap from yesterdays Lantau island ride.

All Lotus cake and congee this morning with an afternoon of turnip cake and noodles, now hitting the evening meal at the MiLs….. belt set to notch number 3.
The hardest part of this time of year is all the staff in my apartment complex that appear out of the woodwork on the expectation of lai see (red pocket money), you never see them when trying to get your bike in and out for the rest of the year.

Is Beauty Box safe to Google?

Kung Hei Fat Choi!

Just finished the first lotus cake of the morning, going to be a long day.

I hope they follow the Verhoeven back catalog and remake Showgirls, with extra CGI.
This one stinks of mediocre unfortunately, the original, though not perfect, was at least original!

Get some classy film posters up…

Pan’s Labyrinth

Been running a 150mm/30.9 version for about 10 months now without any issues, maybe a little play but nothing noticeable when riding.

I’m thinking of getting some carbon rims to complete mine….

Where is that in HK, I thought Lamma at first but guessing around TPS?

OW, the 2013 Fox Float sucked Elephant C*** though I’m going with a 2014 Talas on my SB66’s replacement as its fitted as standard and too much effort to change to a Pike Dual Air.
It does feel a bit stiffer but too be honest I cant say I noticed that much, the Pike just feels better running over stuff, just feel more confident pointing and shooting with with it….sorry, not a biking pro as mentioned before.
One issue is that the paint on the Pike is a little flakey, does not take much to scratch it too hell.

Running some Fox 34 Floats before, big difference being they seem to track the ground better (ie dont jump all over the place going through rock gardens, not a suspension guru) and don’t suddenly loose 1 or 2 inches of travels when hitting bumps on steep descents quickly…plus they blend in with the frame!

Warning, contains swears and French subtitles….
[ video]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=71Lft6EQh-Y[/video]

Out there next month, can you check out the scene as I may take my bike?

The UK, I hear its nice in June?

Friends who have the Bronson C rave about it, but I would be a little hesitant based on the price they paid for their XX1 blinged bikes, they are a tadge expensive for an admittedly very good bike, having had the chance to ride them on a few occasions.
Just put down a deposit on a Giant Trance Advanced SX myself, came to around 3050GBP even with a pretty good spec, very happy, guessing it would cost a bit more in the UK but not that much?

With a Float X CTD shock (very good,got one on my SBB66c now), Fox Talas fork, a stealthy dropper and X01 it looks like it will do the job.

Just started with an SLR XC, still getting used to it but have not done any longer rides than a few hours, seems OK though (for being a bit pricey).

How about a Giant Trance Advanced 27.5 2?
Maybe sell the forks and replace with some Pikes which should all still come to below 3k?
Just ordered the Advanced SX model myself but that’s a little above your stated budget, however this model looks like good value for a carbon frame and reasonable groupset.

Have a 2012 SB66c and have no issues, and have not heard of any amongst other SB66 owners where I live (and there are a few).
Issue appears to have been early models as noted earlier.

My curiosity

I am an SB66c owner (best looking bike ever*) and Yeti fan but the SB75 really does let the side down.

*opinions may vary

+1 for Raja Fashions

Very good service and I have 2 suits from them I still use now but very expensive compared with other tailors in Hong Kong, however, still cheaper then travelling there in person.
Also recommend myTailor.com[/url], used them a couple of times and one of my riding buddies is a tailor there.

Bespoke if always worth the extra little hassle, especially for shirts.

Try and get a visit to the Recoleta Cemetery, it snot far from the center of town as some of the graves/headstones are incredible. Eva Perons also there, you should be able to find her mausoleum very easily, when I was there (admittedly 15 years ago) there was a gaggle of people hanging around, mostly wearing berets?
Recomend visiting the
Theres also a nice beach nearby (sorry, forgot the name) where everyone goes this time of year as its summer, worth a visit.
Dont go to a football game unless escorted by a local and if viewing from the safety of a corporate box!
Most of the locals don’t really care about the Falklands and are great company, just don’t bring it up unless they do.

Been told April, and that’s for a Giant!

Then I have the horrible experience of trying to sell my current pride and joy and all the feckless morons that come out of the woodwork when selling a second hand bike (whats your lowest price, I can get cheaper elsewhere etc).

I wear them all year round without any problems and I live in the far east where summer temperatures do get a tad high.
Ensure you try some on first, as above, you need to ensure the correct fit to ensure no movement when riding.

Sadly the days of conviction politicians such as Benn, Skinner, Thatcher , Foot etc are long behind us, now you have a professional class of politician who basically has no real outside experience of life but that of that in the gravy train, from university politics straight into a job working for a politician or party and then through promotion up to an MP.
If your mates cant get you into a safe seat as an MP, don’t worry, there’s always opportunities in Brussels, the local council or Quango.
I blame the electorate, someone has to vote for them, its not a complete charade!

I can believe that 1 in 10 British citizens live abroad (and I am one) as most will not want to relinquish their passports, possibly because either because they are working in Europe where this is not an issue or in countries that allow dual citizenship.

Das Boot +1
Does Starship Troopers count, that’s got some big set-piece battles in it?

Lucky the wife works for the local train company so I get unlimited free travel now, used to do the Newbury-London commute (shudder).

David Prowse – Darth Vadar and the Green Cross Code Man
Whats not to like in his only 2 roles?

Just been out for a climb up to the Ngong Ping budda, maybe 600-700 mtres up followed by quick cheeky run down to home, its a nice sunny day with a slight chill in the air day in Lantau.

Happy New Year

Took the leap at 39 with no real skill set or qualifications due to marriage, it’s not big a deal if you go somewhere were you speak the language and, most importantly, have a job awaiting you. I was lucky that due to having worked in the region Previously I could use existing connections to find employment, work is important for not only providing the financial means to live in your new environment but also to provide some sort of social base as you then start to build new friendships etc.
Best thing I did but I should stress it was never my intention to move here only the wife doesn’t like the UK and wanted to stay close to her family, this was not so much a deal breaker for me, though I do miss them and friends thanks to Skype and Whatsapp we could all be in the same country anyway.

Go for it, make 2014 the year of change.

Just left the office at dead on 6pm and heading home, usually spend Xmas and NY back in the UK so today has been a shock to the system, I feel that maybe a new job with a western style company is on the cards for 2014!
Happy New Year an I hope the working days fly’s.

BR & OW, a nice bonus and a hankering to try 650b plus not impressed with the SB75 is the main reason, I should also get a reasonable price for my XX1 & Pike equipped SB66c which should cover a large part of this bikes purchase.
TH, tried friends 29ers, and apart from the Niner RDO I just couldn’t feel the love, however been on both Scott 710 and a Bronson and did.
Was thinking of a Bronson but I just can’t see the value, it’s nearly 35% more expensive than the Trance here but not 35% the improvement (opinions may vary), also I know 3 people who I ride with who have them!

Thanks for the link JCl, looks like something to worry about after the bike shows up but good to know my options

Well I have bitten the bullet and put a deposit down for a medium with delivery in April, the price offered by my LBS was to good to miss, especially for a carbon front frame with X01, Float X shock, Talas upfront, dropper, Avid 9 Brakes and carbon rims (own brand but with DT Swiss Hubs).
Buying in Hong Kong, but for you in the UK the price in GBP worked out around 3050, not too shoddy.

RE: Overdrive, its seems I can get a shorter stem via CRC or local shops, 1.5″ is not that rare.

Hi, thanks for the feedback so far, will try to get my leg over a standard Trance to see if the top tube could pinch the old chap when standing. Expecting an April delivery if I drop the deposit.
Been riding Santa Cruz or Yeti’s for the last few years but friends who have been riding Anthems and Trances over the last 2 years cant speak highly enough of them, and the pricing and kit is good compared to the popular boutique brands.